Karnala is a great place for a weekend break with friends and family. Thick forests, entwining vines, mushrooms, wild ferns, chirping birds , squirrels, monkeys amongst many other creatures are seen swinging in the trees are a pleasure to see. For bird watching the best time to go is between November and February. Karnala is 61 km south of Mumbai and the journey takes 1-2 hours.

The hill fort of Karnala has always attracted trekkers from Mumbai. The peak itself is crested by a thumb shaped pinnacle- the famous Karnala’s “Thumbs Up” actually a 1538 feet high volcanic plug. Expect to walk for at least an hour before you reach the fort where there is a small Bhavani Temple.At the base of the the pinnacle are some rock cut caves and water tanks of Buddhist origin, which go back to an era when monks spent time here meditating.

The  Karnala bird sanctuary is bisected by the Mumbai-Goa Highway. The sanctuary is a permanent home to about 150 species of natural aviators but is also temporarily visited by another 40 species of migratory birds.

When travelling towards Pen just before the toll booth a small left turn leads to a modern Shiva Temple.

So for all you trekkers and bird lovers Karnala is a must visit.